More doctors ask for special legislative session on insurance

Friday, June 7, 2002 | 10:53 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- A society that represents about 210 anesthesiologists in Nevada is calling on Gov. Kenny Guinn to convene a special session of the Legislature to cure the medical malpractice insurance crisis that has struck Southern Nevada.

Dr. Dan Laird, president of the Nevada State Society of Anesthesiologists, said he appreciates all that the governor has done so far but said it is "only a Band-Aid on the hemorrhaging."

Laird, one of the 25 anesthesiologists at Summit Anesthesia Consultants in Las Vegas, said his company's insurance expires June 30 and it is having trouble finding a new policy. The members face increases ranging from 40 to 70 percent in premiums.

Summit serves about 60 surgeons in Las Vegas and takes care of about 100 patients a day. Laird said any interruption of the company's service would disrupt the medical procedures in Las Vegas.

Greg Bortolin, press secretary for Guinn, said the governor will address the medical malpractice issue on Monday in a news conference in Las Vegas. The governor has resisted calling a special legislative session unless all competing parties can come up with a compromise solution.

Laird said the state-operated insurance system is a "safety net" for the anesthesiologists in his company but it is more expensive than other insurance policies.

Laird said Nevada should pattern its law after California, which imposes a $250,000 cap on non-economic damages in medical malpractice suits. He said the governor favors that plan. He said he thinks the state Senate would go along but that there could be problems in the Assembly.

Laird said another company, Physicians Billing Service, with about 40 anesthesiologists in Las Vegas, is also facing loss of its insurance company coverage but it has more time to find a replacement.

Obstetricians have also asked Guinn to call a special session of the Legislature.